Renee Heath, Liberal Member for Eastern Victoria, toured the proposed Fingerboards mineral sands mine project site at Glenaladale recently.
She spoke with landholders and community members following the renewal of two retention licences for Gippsland Critical Minerals. The company has been given 12 months to rescope its project.
John Hine, who farms close to the project area, noted that in 2021 the original proposal by Kalbar Resources was rejected by the then Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne. He said the company has since rebranded and employed a new chief executive officer, but concerns remain about the location of the project, which is near horticultural and agricultural industries in the Lindenow Valley.
Mr Hine said changes to the project would not resolve concerns about dust, water quality and potential contamination of local rivers. He added that community members have been raising objections to mining proposals at the site for more than a decade, citing stress
and uncertainty.
He also questioned the viability of the project, noting that Gippsland Critical Minerals has reduced the project area by 27 per cent compared with what was outlined in the Retention Licence approval.
Renee Heath also met with certified organic grower Kane Busch, of Busch Organics, one of Australia’s larger organic producers. Mr Busch outlined his concern that any contamination to soil, water or produce could threaten organic certification, which requires a three-year suspension if breached.
During the site visit, Ms Heath was shown the proposed locations for infrastructure including a processing plant and test pit. Mr Hine said runoff and chemicals used in ore processing could affect waterways, with potential flow-on effects for agricultural producers who rely on clean water and certification standards.
He also raised concerns about the management of tailings and slimes, stating they could leach into groundwater and rivers if not contained.
The tour concluded at Mr Hine’s farm, which borders the Mitchell River. He highlighted gullies feeding into the river from the nearby escarpment and said any contamination could affect fodder production for dairy farms, which are subject to strict quality assurance testing.
Community members have called for further consultation and for government representatives to visit the site to assess the potential risks.
